Omaha daily bee., 1887-06-04
The Wagon Bridge.

There is the liveliest interest felt in this
community in regard to the wagon
bridge enterprise. The report being
afloat here that a petition was being CIR
culated in Omaha against the enterprise,
a meeting was held yesterday morning
at the city hall to take whatever action
influence. Judge James was chosen
concerning the bridge question. Judge
James gave it as his opinion that If the
location was given to the Milwaukee Il
St. Paul railway that company would
not build a bridge for long time to
come, as it had no western extensions,
and no need for any such bridge. He
thought there was something underneath
the surface of this attempt to defeat the
wagon bridge.
DR.. Patton thought that action should
be taken to urge every representative
from Iowa to exert his influence for Sc
curing the desired enterprise, and to de-
feat the railway company. He believed
he could 90 into Omaha and get thou
sand petitioners for the wagon bridge in
Mr.. Shepherd suggested that the peti.
ton of Omaha was an insult to the secre-
tary of war. That official had legal
point to decide, and it was in as bad taste
to petition him as to petition a judge on
the bench to make decision favorable to
one side.
Mr.: Mosler stated that from what he
could learn in Omaha the petition was
largely signed by those interested in real
did not want Council Bluffs cheap prop.
erty thrown upon the market. and
opened up for use. Outside of these real
estate men he thought the citizens of
Omaha generally favored the wagon
bridge. T. j. Evans, the father of the
wagon bridge enterprise, entered the
hall and was received with applause.
likewise welcomed heartily. These gen.
tlemen explained that they had not called
this meeting, and did not deem it neces-
sary for any petitions to be circulated at
present to offset the one IN Omaha.
They were gratified at the evl-
dent interest which the citizens
were taking, and the generous assistance
offered. There might be occasion for q
petition. On learning, that, such a
had been circulated in Omaha they had
telegraphed their attorney in Washing
ton to learn whether it was desirable to
have petition in favor of wagon
bridge. No reply had been received. If
one was desired, then it was time to Sc
cure it.
j. j. Steadman suggested that a COM
whenever the bridge company deemed 1t
advisable TO do so. The committee as
named consisted of j. }. Steadman, /.
Farnsworth, William Groneweg, Phil Ar.
mour, j. W. Peregoy andy w. II. M. Pusey,
| Phil Armour presented resolution
which was adopted. 1t expresses the dc.
sire of the citizens to have the contest
| Aoc;Iah m 30 Nf ho hpiAco
| Mr. Evans and MIR. Wright gave quite
full and clear statements in regard to the
controversy between the railway and the
wagon bridge company. The railway
company never thought of building a
bridge until the Broadway bridge COM
panv had made all arrangements to go
ahead, The plans for the wagon bridge
file, and all that was lacking was the sig
nature of the secretary of war. AT this
moment a protest was filed BY the RAIL
way company. On the day of hearing
the questions We're fully presented and
ably argued. The secretary OF war had
taken the matter under advisement, and
n decision would probably be reached
| next week.
The Milwaukee h St. Paul railway, as
represented by Judge Cary, presented its
clam to the location under the charter
granted in 1884 They had not got hold
of this charter until within few weeks
and hence had acted as promptly as pos
sible. This charter gave them the right
to baild combined bridge anywhere
and southern lines of the cities. Al
their charter was first given the had they
first right to select location. They
wanted the Broadway site. No othei
site would do them. II this was not
given them they would have to go way
south of the Union Pacific bridge, or else
90 way north, In either of which event,
they could not get into aud out of Omahs
so rs to handle their business. The
wagon bridge would prove only loca
convenience. The railway company, il
given the sight, would build a combined
bridge, which would not only answer al
the purposes Of the proposed wagon